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Reach Out and Read Takes the Lectio Approach Toward Literacy
Feb 16, 2021
Within their first years of life, children shape their brain, learn patterns, and form crucial skills for development. With the mission of nurturing these young minds, Reach Out and Read encourages early reading and pediatric care for children of all backgrounds—stimulating brain development, creating meaningful bonds, and sparking joy.
A national nonprofit based in Boston, Massachusetts, Reach Out and Read focuses on the obtainable work they can achieve in local communities and real children’s lives. Joining various other early literacy organizations within Western Mass, they participated in the Lectio Institute to refine their goals, undergo professional development, and develop strategies to best inspire the growth of knowledge.
The Lectio Institute guides stakeholders through an intensive process focused on improving the quality and results of their early learning and literacy programming services. Reading Success by 4th Grade (RS4G) brought the Lectio Approach to the Springfield literacy ecosystem. RS4G invited community partners and literacy leaders with a footprint in the city to learn more about early literacy, improvement in science, and creating and refining the literacy landscape.
The Lectio Institute upholds that “despite great promise and tireless efforts, many of today’s literacy programs, instruction, and services are not adding up to impact.” Through a different approach and analysis of goals, they work toward “unlocking the power of our collective commitment to America’s youngest readers.”
Alex Chu, the Northeast Executive Director and Lectio program leader for Reach Out and Read, was pleased to find his team’s ideas and values aligned with the teaching of the program. With this collaboration, research, and self-reflection, organizations can see more distinct change within communities.
“I’ve seen such an evolution in both the number and the quality of programs, and it's truly inspiring to see the cohort of programs and individuals represented through Lectio,” said Chu. “We were intrigued and delighted to find the approach and process by the Lectio group neatly aligned with our own recently released strategic plan—particularly in the systemic and community collaborative approach to understanding the root causes of our stalled literacy efforts.”
As the Lectio Approach applies perspectives to these organizations, they focus on the data and frameworks that can benefit each community. Chu acknowledged the importance of these critical strategies that lead to the most outreach. The “sunsetting” of programs that are not actively working or helping the community stood out as an honest approach to “look collectively at our efforts and to maximize the community-level efficacy.”
“It was refreshing to hear a quantitative approach to the efforts, specifically around literacy, with a non-profit community that is not always amenable,” said Chu.
One of major obstacles facing nonprofit organizations is the requirement of financial support and representation to make a genuine difference. Chu acknowledged these struggles and the need for a change: “There remains a fixed philanthropic effort, and it is reasonable to assume that without additional investment, we would see limited return.” He suggested that programs would benefit from more participation from “executive-level folks, or those in philanthropy, so we may have establish deeper connections or see changes in investment strategy.”
Despite the call for more support and deeper connections, early literacy movements are growing in success and impact. Reach Out and Read upholds a national scale that serves over 4.5 million children annually, half of those from low-income families.
With continued dedication—whether through further community collaboration, monetary investments, or participation in programs like the Lectio Institute—even more lives can be changed and goals can be reached.
Reach Out and Read
is a national nonprofit that champions the positive effects of reading daily and engaging in other language-rich activities with young children, specifically in pediatric care. https://reachoutandread.org
Facebook and Twitter: @ReachOutandRead
Reading Success by 4th Grade
is a community-wide initiative to get all of Springfield’s kids reading proficiently by the end of 3rd grade. Their projects bring people together to learn, share, and advocate for early literacy in Springfield, Massachusetts. www.readby4thgrade.com
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn: @ReadBy4thGrade
The Lectio Approach:
Our mission is to unlock the power of our collective commitment to America’s youngest readers. We work to ensure that all children's literacy efforts and those they serve reach their potential, and that all stakeholders see the results and impacts they intended. www.lectioapproach.com
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Chrissy Howard
Manager
Reading Success by 4th Grade
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City Recognized for Early Literacy Work with Families in Public Housing, Equipping Families with 30,000 Books During COVID,Convening 500+ Educators for RS4G Building Bridges Conference
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